3d and Carrier Pilots

[P3D <PK6811S@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Something about depth clues:

Maybe 15-20 years ago I read an article about a new computer controlled
system to land planes on aircraft carriers.  The thing worked but there
was a humerous note - the pilots universaly disliked the experience,
and frequently threw the override switch to manually land their planes.

It was noted that human pilots moved their planes left and right a few times 
as they approached the carrier, while the computer just flew straight
in.  Now I think I understand the problem facing the pilots.  The left-
right jiggling helped them fix a better mental 3D image of the carrier's
position, without which they could not judge the 'goodness' of the
approach.  And the computer using radar to measure distances, did
not jiggle, leaving the pilots in a panic.  Maybe better to just
close the eyes :-)

Paul Kline
pk6811s@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx


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